Former minister and Binjharpur MLA Pramila Mallick’s residence at unit-vi in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Patilelin Kumar Mallick

Bhubaneswar, July 27: The body of a 40-year-old man, a staunch supporter of Binjharpur legislator Pramila Mallick, was today found on the premises of the MLA’s government quarters at Unit VI.

The deceased, Surendra Rout, a father of three children that includes a baby boy, comes from a poor family of Banapur in Binjharpur area of Jajpur district. He was eking out a living by driving an autorickshaw in Bhubaneswar.

Police recovered the body of Surendra hanging from a champa tree. They have registered a case of unnatural death. “I had seen him yesterday before going to sleep, but later his body was found hanging from the tree. We informed the police,” said Rajkishore of Binjharpur, who also stays in the MLA’s quarters.

His younger brother, Mahendra, who also lives in the city, said he suspected that his elder brother might have been killed. However, at the same time he admitted that his brother was under tremendous mental pressure because of a pending case against him at a Jajpur court.

The case, which was registered against him on August 28, 2012, pertained to allegations of molestation brought against him by his cousin’s wife. Surendra was arrested in connection with the case and had to spend sometime at Jajpur jail.

“Ever since the case was filed, the woman had been demanding money and land as a compromise. While the complainant has been demanding cash of Rs 3 lakh and a plot, each of the four eyewitnesses were demanding Rs 1 lakh in cash. This makes me suspect that he might have been killed and then hanged,” said Mahendra, who also drives an autorickshaw. “The hearing of the case was due on July 30. A move was on for compromise, but the complainant was demanding a huge amount of money,” said Parsuram Sahu, inspector in-charge of Binjharpur police station.

The police officer said that the 21st day ceremony of Surendra’s newborn son was due on July 29.

Sources said Surendra, a native of Banapur village in Chandramun panchayat under Binjharpur police station limits in Jajpur district, had moved to Bhubaneswar 25 years ago with two of his brothers and was staying in Badagada area.

Surendra was an active supporter of Mallick and has been visiting her government quarters for the past 10 years. He was staying in Bhubaneswar with his elder brother Bipin Rout, who works as a mason. Surendra’s father holds a BPL card in the village. Sources said that yesterday, Surendra had gone to the MLA’s official residence to seek help in connection with the case pending against him.

Pramila Mallick said that she was not present in the house when the incident took place. “He had met me yesterday at my quarters, but did not discuss any problem. As a party supporter, he used to visit my quarters frequently,” she said.

At present, Mallick lives at her private residence in Jagamara, but people from her constituency visit her government quarters frequently.

The police have sent the body to Capital Hospital for post-mortem.

“We are waiting for the post-mortem report,” said inspector in-charge of Capital police station M.R. Garanaik.

In a similar incident in April 2006, the police had recovered the body of Chhabi Bardhan, 35, from the official residence of the present law minister Arun Sahu. Following the incident, the Opposition Congress had demanded Sahu’s arrest.